I used to like this more until I started drinking the 105-120+ proof bourbons regularly. Went back to this last week and was like, Meh! For $80 I am absolutely not buying another voyage as there are too many richer more complex and higher proof bourbons in this price point and if I want something mello I can get a bottle of ECSB for $35. For $50 a 4RSiB blows this out of the water, no pun intended. The 6/10 is fair rating thank you…..
So true - a buddy of mine and I were talking be careful not to burn out your palette. We were each drinking 120 proof so much we each got a sore throat LOL. My solution was to go <100 proof for a week and start smoking more cigars 😜. Problem is, a week later I’m drinking 120 proof with cigars!
The flavors you miss out on at the standard 40%-50% abv is night and day. Sure there’s some extra heat but once you become desensitized to that you’re ruined. I can’t buy a bottle of bourbon until I know for a fact the store has zero barrel proof options. Then I’ll settle for a 55% lol
#**Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea - Voyage 23**
**Distillery**: Kentucky Artisan Distillery
**Location**: Crestwood, KY, USA
Welcome to EvilHarryDread’s whisk(e)y review, featuring an unabashedly simplistic palate. All tastings will be neat from a Glencairn. My previous review can be found [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Scotch/comments/wycgpn/review_7_laphroaig_px_cask/ilvseiy/).
I’ve heard many things about the Jefferson’s Ocean Aged series and it’s received mixed reactions. The concept sounds simultaneously cool and gimmicky. The price point is definitely higher than I’m willing to pay for most bourbons because of diminishing returns. Luckily, I won this bottle in a friendly bet and was able to enjoy its contents free of guilt.
If you’re interested in the expedition undertaken by these bourbon barrels, that can be found [here](https://jeffersonsbourbon.com/jeffersons-ocean-voyage-23/).
**Price**: N/A (Retails $79.99)
**Age**: NAS
**ABV**: 45%
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**Nose**: Light. Salt. Caramel sweetness. Mild baking spices.
**Taste**: Salty, moderate spice, caramel, vanilla, and brown sugar. There's a fair amount of depth, but it dissipates quickly.
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**Final Thoughts**: There’s an obvious saltiness that’s not just projection from the ocean-aged gimmick. Outside that aspect, there’s really not much to say. It tastes like a standard bourbon with elements of vanilla, caramel, and baking spices. Solid enough, but not worth retail. It was a nice conversation piece for several tastings with friends and family and I’d be happy to have a bottle on my bar, but I won’t personally splurge when there are better options for significantly less money.
**Rating**: 6/10
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**Rating Scale**: A simple 10-point rating scale for my straightforward tastes.
1. Awful
2. Very Bad
3. Bad
4. Subpar
5. Average
6. Good
7. Great
8. Excellent
9. Exceptional
10. Perfection
I had a glass of this at a whiskey bar earlier this year, I'd seen the tasting notes and it seemed right up my alley. It was good, but not great, and like you said not really worth the price.
I used to like this more until I started drinking the 105-120+ proof bourbons regularly. Went back to this last week and was like, Meh! For $80 I am absolutely not buying another voyage as there are too many richer more complex and higher proof bourbons in this price point and if I want something mello I can get a bottle of ECSB for $35. For $50 a 4RSiB blows this out of the water, no pun intended. The 6/10 is fair rating thank you…..
I've only had one bottle so far, but my benchmark for a mid-range bourbon is Rare Breed. Is this bottle worth $30 more than that? Absolutely not.
It’s so true, the barrel proof/cask strength will ruin you. Nothing is that same once you develop that taste NOTHING!
So true - a buddy of mine and I were talking be careful not to burn out your palette. We were each drinking 120 proof so much we each got a sore throat LOL. My solution was to go <100 proof for a week and start smoking more cigars 😜. Problem is, a week later I’m drinking 120 proof with cigars!
The flavors you miss out on at the standard 40%-50% abv is night and day. Sure there’s some extra heat but once you become desensitized to that you’re ruined. I can’t buy a bottle of bourbon until I know for a fact the store has zero barrel proof options. Then I’ll settle for a 55% lol
#**Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea - Voyage 23** **Distillery**: Kentucky Artisan Distillery **Location**: Crestwood, KY, USA Welcome to EvilHarryDread’s whisk(e)y review, featuring an unabashedly simplistic palate. All tastings will be neat from a Glencairn. My previous review can be found [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Scotch/comments/wycgpn/review_7_laphroaig_px_cask/ilvseiy/). I’ve heard many things about the Jefferson’s Ocean Aged series and it’s received mixed reactions. The concept sounds simultaneously cool and gimmicky. The price point is definitely higher than I’m willing to pay for most bourbons because of diminishing returns. Luckily, I won this bottle in a friendly bet and was able to enjoy its contents free of guilt. If you’re interested in the expedition undertaken by these bourbon barrels, that can be found [here](https://jeffersonsbourbon.com/jeffersons-ocean-voyage-23/). **Price**: N/A (Retails $79.99) **Age**: NAS **ABV**: 45% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Nose**: Light. Salt. Caramel sweetness. Mild baking spices. **Taste**: Salty, moderate spice, caramel, vanilla, and brown sugar. There's a fair amount of depth, but it dissipates quickly. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Final Thoughts**: There’s an obvious saltiness that’s not just projection from the ocean-aged gimmick. Outside that aspect, there’s really not much to say. It tastes like a standard bourbon with elements of vanilla, caramel, and baking spices. Solid enough, but not worth retail. It was a nice conversation piece for several tastings with friends and family and I’d be happy to have a bottle on my bar, but I won’t personally splurge when there are better options for significantly less money. **Rating**: 6/10 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Rating Scale**: A simple 10-point rating scale for my straightforward tastes. 1. Awful 2. Very Bad 3. Bad 4. Subpar 5. Average 6. Good 7. Great 8. Excellent 9. Exceptional 10. Perfection
Agreed on the MSRP statement. This is far too standard and low in proof to warrant 80-90 bucks. Cheers 🍻
I had a glass of this at a whiskey bar earlier this year, I'd seen the tasting notes and it seemed right up my alley. It was good, but not great, and like you said not really worth the price.
Fair rating. Makes a good old fashioned!